Electron-discharge device



July 16, 1929.

E. T. FISK 1.720.724

ELECTRON DISCHARGE DEVICE Filed July 16, 1924 E. Jr l b/@1517 PatentedJuly 16, 1929.

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ERNEST THOMAS FISK, 0F SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA.

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Application filed July 16, 1924, Serial No;

The desired concentration of the electrons is obtained by an improvedconstruction of device in which the concentration of the electron streaminto a beam is achieved more effectively than heretofore by setting up areflecting force behind an electron emitter and this is supplemented bygiving the said reflector a negative electrical charge.

Substantially the whole mass of emitted electrons can thus beconcentrated and directed towards an anode by these means. The whole ofthe active portion of the electron emitter maybe contained within thefield of the reflector and constructed and supported in a more robustform than is otherwise practicable; for instance a filament may be woundinxthe formof a flat or volute spiral, preferably with its negative endin the centre. 1

- By operating a plurality of such electron discharge devices inparallel a high power arrangement for various purposes is obtainable.

Unless operated upon by opposing or modifying forces, a beam of.electrons will remain in the direction determined by the concentratingand reflecting forces. The direction and/or intensity of the beam, can,however, be independently controlled by suitably, directed electric ormagnetic forces applied byknown methods. For instance,

the direction of the beam may be controlledby electric charges ormagnetic fields acting transversely or at an angle to .its path, or anyuseful combination of such methods may be employed.

Instead of the beam being deflected by an electric field it may, ifpreferred, be deflected by a transverse magnetic field.

Various methods of utilizing the invention in systems utilizingalternating or pulsating currents are readily devisable, the

- essential features of which is to utilize the beam as a tap impingingon target anodes to enable energy to flow from a source of 726,396, andin Australia August 9, 1923.

potential and to bring it into an operative circuit.

Referring to the illustration 16 represents an evacuated envelope, 26 isa reflector of parabolic or other shaped section with acathodic'filament 22" that is adapted to glow on the passage of anelectric current. The filament is located in the region of the focus ofthe reflector, which latter, when in use, is charged negatively inrespect to the polarities of the filament. The envelope is provided withtwo anodes 87 and 88 and with two deflector plates 83 and 81L oppo- 1sitely disposed.

The central. portion of the filament 22 is preferably in the shape of avolute spiral, or it may be in any other appropriate shape such as acurl as shown.

The operation of the electron discharge device will be described whenused as a rectifier an arrangement of circuits being illustrated in thedrawing.

In this arrangement 80 is a source of alternating current contained in acircuit which includes the. in ductances 63, 64 and 65. The inductance63 is magnetically coupled with the inductance 62, forming atransformer. The secondary of this transformer 62 is tapped by a line 81to the output circuit. The inductance 64 is magnetically coupled with aninductance 82, one terminal of which is conncted'to the deflector plate83 in the envelope 16, its other end being connected to thecomplementary deflector plate 84. The inductance 65 is magneticallycoupled to the inductance 85. The terminals of the inductance 85 areconnected to the respective ends of the filament 22, and the other sideof it to the other end of the fila-.

ment. One (86) of these connections is extended to form one side of theoutput circuit. The filament being heated by the current "induced ininductance 85, the electron stream which is discharged fromit isreflected from the reflector 26 from which it is separated and directedbetween the two deflector plates in the form of abeam. The

current alternating in the inductances. 63,

. to the filament and thence through the output lines 81 and 86.

What I claim as my invention and desire envelope, deflector platesdisposed on oppo- Y to secure by Letters Patent is pair of 1. Arectifying circuit for alternating current comprising in combination anelectron discharge device having an envelope, an electron emitter withinsaid envelope, a anodes within the said envelope, deflector platesdisposed von opposite sides of the electron beam emitted by saidelectron emitter, a source of alternating current, a plurality oftransformers each having primary and secondary windings, the primarywinding of each transformer being in' cluded in a circuit with saidsource of alternating current, the secondary winding of 25.

one of said transformers having its opposite terminals connected to thetwo anodes, one terminal of the output circuit being taken from a tap ofsaid secondary windings, the secondary winding of another of saidtransformers having its opposite terminals connected to the twodeflector plates, said electron emitter being connected in series withthe secondary winding of another of said 'opp osite disposed behindelectron reflector said emitter and adapted to be negatively charged, apair of anodes within the said site sides of the electron beam emittedby said electron emitter, a source of alternating current, a pluralityof transformers each having a primary and secondary winding, the primarywinding of each transformer being included in a circuit with saidsource' of alternating current, the secondary winding of one ofsaidtransformers having its terminals connected to the two anodes, oneterminal of the output circuit being taken from a tap of said secondarywinding, the secondary winding of another of said transformers havingits opposite terminals connected to the two deflector plates, saidelectron emitter being connected in series with the secondary winding ofanother of said transformers, and the other terminal of the outputcircuit being connected to the electron emitter.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ERNEST THOMAS FISK.

